Zelenskyy to visit Berlin for talks with German Chancellor Merz

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 3 Nov, 09:22 · Archive

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is making a surprise visit to Berlin on Tuesday to meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is making a surprise visit to Berlin on Tuesday to meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz around midday, Merz announced at a speech to Berlin's Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The visit had been kept secret for security reasons. The meeting comes ahead of trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and the United States scheduled for Abu Dhabi on 10 and 11 November, where advisers will discuss postwar security, steps to reduce tensions and humanitarian aid.

Military and financial support are expected to be central to the Berlin talks. Ukraine is seeking more missiles to defend against Russian ballistic strikes, particularly for systems such as the US-made Patriot. Germany has already supplied the Patriot systems it says it can spare without weakening its own air defences. Ukraine has also asked European governments for €70 billion in additional funding for next year, a request Zelenskyy set out at an EU summit in October.

Merz said in his speech that Germany's push to rapidly increase defence spending last year was triggered by Zelenskyy and Trump's meeting at the White House in 2024. He added that Europe must be capable of defending itself, though he stressed this was intended to strengthen rather than question NATO. Berlin also plans to host a summit of countries backing Ukraine later this month to discuss further support ahead of winter.

How it is being reported

• Zelenskyy to make unexpected visit to Berlin for talks with Merz – Europe liveMerz said the German push to increase defence spending was triggered by Zelenskyy and Trump’s meeting last year Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to make an unexpected visit to Berlin for talks with German chancellor Friedrich Merz ahead of next week’s trilateral talks with Russia and the US in Abu Dhabi. The rumours about Zelenskyy’s potential visit started swirling last night, with Merz confirming the visit during an industry speech this morning. The Ukrainian president’s trips are usually kept secret until the last moment for security reasons. “ He’ll be here with me just…Guardian World · 3 Nov, 08:47
• Zelenskyy arrives in Berlin for talks with Merz on air defense and energy support ahead of US-led negotiations with RussiaUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Berlin for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Kyiv is seeking more air defense missiles and help keeping its energy system running through winter.DW News · 3 Nov, 08:23
• Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to make surprise Berlin visit this Tuesday, Merz saysChancellor Friedrich Merz said the Ukrainian president is due to arrive in Germany around midday amid a renewed push for peace talks with Moscow.DW News · 3 Nov, 08:23

In this story: Volodymyr Zelenskyy · Friedrich Merz · Ukraine · Berlin · Germany · Russia · United States · Abu Dhabi

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